After the popular music festival had to be canceled due to the pandemic last year, the 2021 edition more than makes up for the lost year.

Imagine the magic of Disney, the virtuosity of the Berthollet sisters, and the spirit of Serge Gainsbourg all rolled into one event… and there you have, in a nutshell, the 16th edition of C’est Pas Classique, which takes place from December 10-12 at the Palais Acropolis in Nice.

Sisters Julie and Camille Berthollet, two prodigies who started playing the violin and cello when they were toddlers, know how to make classical music thoroughly contemporary and sexy. Together with their musicians and the Orchestre de Cannes Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, the duo is the opening act, presenting its latest album “Four Seasons”.

Change of ambience on Day 2, when the festival pays tribute to the immortal Serge Gainsbourg, thirty years after his death. Frederic Luzignant developed and directs this show, performed by singers, musicians and the Orchestre de Cannes Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur.

And to give the youngest ones a taste for music, the last day of the festival is dedicated to the Disney film-concert which is currently on tour throughout France. The Nice Philharmonic Orchestra intonates the greatest titles of the films that have marked generations of children.

Beyond these highlights, the festival will bring together a myriad of talented and award-winning artists from all over the world, helping an audience of all ages discover a different facet of classical music. Just a few days before the end of the year, the festival is drenched in Christmas spirit, and word on the street is that Santa also makes an early stop to visit with the youngest…

Go here to see the detailed programme.

The Acropolis is earmarked for demolition – much to the chagrin of many a Niçois – so enjoy the iconic concert venue one last time. All sanitary precautions (masks, gel, etc.) apply. However, do bear in mind that the festival may have to be cancelled again on short notice if the health situation deteriorates.

Tickets go on sale on November 29 and can be booked in advance online.

Acropolis,
1 Espace John Fitzgerald Kennedy
06000 Nice

All images courtesy Département 06; lead image Edition 2019 – Ed Banger Symphonie (Pedro Winter, Thomas Roussel et l’Orchestre de Cannes Provence- Alpes-Côte d’Azur), © DR